Hilton Vice President of Operations Australasia, Heidi Kunkel
Hilton Vice President of Operations Australasia, Heidi Kunkel.

A litany of leading senior executives, owners, investors, hoteliers and analysts are set to provide their industry-shaping views at the 2020 Australian Hotel Industry Conference and Exhibition (AHICE), headline sponsored by Intrust Super and Hostplus.

The event, presented by HM Magazine, will be preceded by the return of Design Inn 2020, sponsored by SHAPE, with the grand two-day industry showcase conference taking place from September 8-9, 2020 at Hyatt Regency Sydney.

AHICE 2020 will also offer comprehensive virtual networking opportunities including full interaction, live question-asking capabilities and full access to view sessions for up to a month following the event.

A variety of executive panels and presentations will discuss and dissect many pertinent issues affecting the hospitality and accommodation industry in 2020 and in the decade to come. The COVID-19 pandemic and its effect on travel and tourism are sure to be key talking points, along with the unrelenting pace of development, technology improvements, hygiene and guest safety and many more polarising topics.

Choice Hotels Asia-Pac CEO Trent Fraser

Confirmed speakers include Accor’s Michael Issenberg and Simon McGrath, Hilton’s Heidi Kunkel, IHG’s Kenneth Macpherson and Leanne Harwood, Marriott’s Craig Smith and Sean Hunt, Outrigger’s Jeff Wagoner, key investors Dr Jerry Schwartz, Jure Domazet, Marianne Ossovani, Ronald Barrott and many more.

One key session not to miss will feature Tourism Australia Managing Director, Philippa Harrison, in one of the event’s major keynote speeches, where she will share her views on the future of tourism in this region.

HM Editor-In-Chief, James Wilkinson, will coordinate a series of interviews with key industry executives including Choice Hotels Asia-Pac CEO, Trent Fraser; Event Hospitality Director of Hotels, Norman Arundel; Hyatt Asia-Pacific President, David Udell; Radisson Group Asia-Pacific President, Katerina Giannouka and many more.

Radisson Hotel Group President of Asia Pacific, Katerina Giannouka

Virtual registrations are now open for AU$150 for two days – including access to the 2020 Design Inn Symposium (held on the morning of Sep 8) – and it will provide unrivalled virtual access to a hotel industry event held during 2020.

With the new virtual ticket package, delegates will have access to all sessions live and will also be able to view the recordings of the sessions for up to a month after the event. The aim is to provide virtual delegates with an inclusive and engaging experience.

Using a unique log-in ID and pin, delegates will have access to a web-based app which will provide direct interaction with the live-action happening in Sydney. Virtual delegates can also engage in polling, Q&A sessions, interact with other attendees; everything from the comfort of their home or office.